New York Knicks & Phoenix Suns
Spread: Suns -6.5
Total: 222.5
Injuries:
New York Knicks:
Derrick Rose – Out
Quentin Grimes – Out
Nerlens Noel – Questionable (Foot)
Obi Toppin – Questionable (Hamstring)
Phoenix Suns:
Devin Booker - Out
Chris Paul – Out
Frank Kaminsky – Out
*Please note that players not listed below are not necessarily a complete fade and any player listed can certainly be used as the MVP/Captain. These are merely suggestions for players to use when setting Showdown lineups.
MVP/CPT
RJ Barrett, PG/SF (NYK) – The one bright spot that has come out of this dreadful stretch from the Knicks has been Barrett who truly seems to be taking the next steps in his progression. We do have to give New York credit that they are affording every opportunity to Barrett, some of it is by default as they are lacking a point guard, to show what he can do. Barrett has taken either 22 or 23 shots in his last three games after both the All-Star break and an ankle injury and he is averaging 33.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and five assists per game in that stretch.
Deandre Ayton, C (PHX) – With the Suns without their starting backcourt, and two of their biggest offensive weapons, I would expect Ayton to take on a greater role. The spread isn’t too large tonight, but the possibility of a blowout still exists so there a chance we get a performance similar to Wednesday against Portland in which Ayton only received 26 minutes of playing time. With 18 points and eight rebounds, we did get solid production as he shot an efficient nine of 12 from the field.
Cameron Payne, PG (PHX) – It was an underwhelming return to action for Payne on Wednesday, but I do expect more from him tonight. After missing more than a month of action, it’s hard to expect all that much from Payne, and that was in the case in 20 minutes of action as he shot just two of eight from the field. The only way to go from there (five points) is up, but Payne did pick up eight assists and the backcourt truly belongs to him tonight. Plus, his cost allows you to really do whatever else you want from a team build situation.
Util
Julius Randle, PF (NYK) – It has been a down year overall for Randle, but that is more from a team perspective than a DFS one. Randle doesn’t come cheap and he has struggled from a shooting perspective since the All-Star game with just a 31% mark from the field. The volume will still be there for Randle, but don’t feel the need to force him into your lineup.
Cameron Johnson, SF/PF (PHX) – With Booker out tonight, I would expect the Suns to heavily lean on Johnson offensively tonight and the forward should be up to the task. All he needed on Wednesday was 24 minutes to put up 20 points while chipping in four rebounds and four assists and his recent track record shows that we can get a repeat performance, at best, tonight.
Jae Crowder, SF/PF (PHX) – Crowder has come out of the All-Star breaking rolling offensively as the Suns look to fill the offensive gap from Chris Paul’s injury. In four games, Crowder is averaging 15 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game and he should face little resistance tonight to keep that momentum going.
Mitchell Robinson, C (NYK) – Foul trouble is going to be an issue as it could limit Robinson’s playing time and make this pick not look as good. In 21 minutes of action on Wednesday, Robinson did go for 10 points and seven rebounds, and if all goes well, he has flashed upside. Just be aware there is some possible risk.
Evan Fournier, SG (NYK) – If you want to talk about risk, we can’t forget about Fournier as he went from 24 to three points in his last two games. At 14.4 points per game, Fournier is generally a capable scorer, and things are in place for him to 20-point mark without much effort, but it’s also possible the night is a bust.
Dart Throws
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG (NYK) – Quickley has started to pick up the pace more these days and look more comfortable offensively, but overall, there have been some growing pains this year. There is certainly opportunity for Quickley to show what he can do, and the 21 points he scored on Monday against Philadelphia did show that.
Landry Shamet, SG/SF (PHX) – Shamet will get the start again tonight for the Suns after scoring 12 points in 23 minutes on Wednesday. There is the potential for more based on the fact that Shamet took 12 shots, but he does need to make more than four of them.